NEW MIDLAND CIVIC ARENA GROUNDBREAKING

CEREMONY PLANNED FOR SEPTEMBER 20

A new civic arena for Midland is about to become a reality. A celebratory groundbreaking ceremony will take place Monday, September 20, at 5 p.m. at the corner of Rockwell Drive and Bay City Road, on the site of the new 107,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility that, once constructed, will feature three sheets of ice.

No parking will be provided at the groundbreaking site. All parking will take place at the Valley Plaza Resort at the northeast corner of Rockwell Drive and Bay City Road. City of Midland Dial-A-Ride buses will transport those attending the ceremony to the construction site.

The estimated $10.3 million arena, which has been more than five years in the making, will replace the existing arena at 515 E. Collins Street. The design of the new arena features three sheets of ice - two National Hockey League-sized rinks and one Olympic-sized rink - 12 locker rooms and 1,000 seats. Three Rivers Corporation of Midland will construct the arena on a more than 10-acre piece of land donated by Nicolaos and Elaine Rapanos.

“The arena is a tremendous example of how an outstanding facility can result when the City, arena users and local contributors come together,” said Director of Public Services Marty McGuire.

The City of Midland has budgeted $500,000 and has issued a $6.5 million bond for the project, with an additional $3.8 million pledged over a five-year period by area foundations and $750,000 in contributions by Fast Ice, a group of users that has been instrumental in seeing the project off the ground.

For more information, contact the Midland Parks and Recreation Department at

989-837-6930.

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